Fife Council gets its way as buyer sought for controversial C-listed property in Leslie

Neil Henderson

A C-listed house that was the subject of a controversial eight-year compulsory purchase battle is to finally to go on sale to the highest bidder.

Potential buyers for 222 High Street in Leslie, which is situated within the heart of the town’s conservation area, are to be invited to bid for the property when it goes up for sale this week.

The property had lain boarded up and in derelict state for over two decades, forcing Fife Council to act.

The local authority, who pursued the Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) since 2006, finally took control of the property in November 2014 when an appeal by John Mowbray, understood to be the owner, to the Court of Session against the compulsory purchase was refused.

A damning four page ruling by Lord Menzies said the owner had ‘showed a clear disregard for the proper up-keep of the building, as well as for the situation having to be endured by neighbours’.

And controversy surrounding 222 High Street continued when a number of bizarre anonymous notes calling for new owners to be found were posted onto the building sparking much local speculation as to the author responsible for the prank.

The sales literature described the property as being in a poor condition but it offered an excellent redevelopment opportunity for potential buyers, it warned a complete refurbishment of the premises is considered the only viable option.

Fife Council confirmed the cost in legal time in pursuing the CPO amounted to £19,225.